Rohingya Football Club Ireland win BSAI Football Tournament

By The Stateless Rohingya

Rohingya boys born in Bangladesh refugee camps won the prestigious BSAI Trophy

Dublin: Rohingya Football Club Ireland was invited to participate in the football tournament organised by Bangladesh Sports Association of Ireland (BSAI) on Tuesday, August 7.

In the annual tournament, seven Bangladesh community teams from major Irish cities and towns took part to come together in creating bond and friendship in Ballymun United FC ground, Dublin. It was organised by Bangladesh community from diverse spectrum of political, social and cultural groups.

The Rohingya team participated the tournament considering the overwhelming solidarity shown by the people of Bangladesh who give shelter to more than a million of Rohingya refugees fleeing atrocities under the hands of Myanmar Military. Over 710,000 Rohingya have found refuge in several camps situated in coastal Cox’s Bazar region of Bangladesh since August 25, 2017.

The tournament brought the two communities together to show solidarity and raise awareness on the situations of Rohingya.

The Rohingya team is comprised of Rohingya youths who were born in Kutupalong and Nayapara Refugee Camps in Bangladesh, and resettled in Ireland in 2009.

The team won the first match against Limerick City by the score of 2-0, then County Dublin team by 3-0 and Galway City team was beaten in the semi-final by one goal.

Following the thrilling goalless normal time, Dublin (team 2) and the Rohingya team went to penalty shootouts. The Rohingya boys won the finals after 5-4 goals.

Besides winning the prestigious BSAI Trophy, Mohammed Solim received the man of the tournament for carrying and contributing the Rohingya team with his 3 goals.

“Sport is a mean that bridges communities, individuals and peoples together. It is important the we use this opportunity to bring the two communities together and use it to fight for the justice,” said the grassroots community activist in Ireland, Mohammed Rafique